As You Like It
Written by William Shakespeare Retold by Jo Cotterill Illustrated by Shahab Shamshirsaz
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Cast of characters
Duke D Duk uke F Fr Frederick reder ederic ck
Rosalind: R lii d Duke Ferdinand’s daughter
Celiia: Ce a: Celia: Duke Frederick’s daughter
Touchstone: a court jester
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Duke Ferdinand D Du uke Ferd F Fe erd din inan and an d
Lord L ord Ja J Jaques ques es es
Oliver, Jaques and Olliv i er Ja Jaq q nd Orlando Orlando an ndo d de Boys: s: brothers bro roth roth her ers
Corin C i and d Silvius: Sil illvi v us us:: shepherds
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Phoebe: oe o ebe b : a shepherdess hep ephe herd rdesss
Audrey: udrey: a country girl
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Chapter 1 I’ve known my cousin Rosalind since we were babies. She’s my best friend, and I’d never do anything to hurt her, which is why it upsets me when she’s sad. “What’s the matter?” I asked one day. Rosalind shook her head. “I can’t be happy all the time, Celia. I miss my father.” I didn’t know what to say. My father and her father are brothers, but you wouldn’t think it. Hers, the noble Duke Ferdinand, used to rule this kingdom. But a few years ago, my father Frederick led an uprising. He took over and banished the duke into the Forest of Arden, a day’s walk from here.
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Father only allowed Rosalind to stay because he wanted me to have a friend to play with. Her mother died when she was young, so I’m all she has now. “When my father dies,” I told Rosalind earnestly, “I promise I’ll give back everything he stole from you.”
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“Don’t be sad,” I went on. “Touchstone’s coming. He’ll soon make us laugh.” Touchstone was the court jester – his job was to be witty and clever, though sometimes he could be quite annoying! I could see him hurrying towards us across the lawn. “Mistresses!” he called. “I’ve a great joke to tell you about pancakes and mustard!” It wasn’t a good joke, but it made me giggle. “And now,” said Touchstone, “you should find somewhere else to sit. There’s to be a wrestling match right here, and it’s not a sport for ladies.”
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My father had a prize fighter called Charles, and the last man he fought nearly died. “Who’s foolish enough to fight Charles?” I asked. But before Touchstone could answer, a group of men approached, my father in the lead. He was usually stern but today he looked excited. Following him were several lords and Charles, his muscles bulging. And then there was another man – barely older than we were. Rosalind gasped. “Is that him?”
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My father greeted us cheerfully. “Daughter and cousin! Have you come to watch the wrestling? I’m afraid it won’t be much of a match.” He shrugged. “The youth seems determined to be beaten.” The young man was slim and muscled but about half the size of Charles! “Please,” I said to him, “please don’t fight. You don’t know what you’re risking.”
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He smiled at me. “I’ve nothing to lose – no friends, no place in this world. There’s no risk.” “I don’t have much strength,” Rosalind told him, “but what I have, I give you.” I almost couldn’t bear to look as the young man took up his position opposite Charles. Rosalind reached for my hand and gripped it tightly. Charles stepped forwards, taking a mighty swing with his huge fist. But the young man was light on his feet and ducked at the last minute. Charles swung again – and again – and missed each time. And then, faster than I could see, the young man jabbed upwards … and suddenly Charles was down! Out cold on the grass – I couldn’t believe it! My father’s prize fighter, beaten in less than a minute!
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“What’s your name?” the duke asked, astonished. The young man stood up straight. “Orlando, my lord, youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys.” My father didn’t look happy about this, but Rosalind rushed forwards, undoing her necklace and holding it out. “My father loved your father,” she said to Orlando. “Please – take this as a gift. I wish I could give you more.” Orlando stared at her. He seemed to have lost the power of speech. The two of them gazed at each other in silence until I tugged Rosalind away. Anyone would think they’d fallen in love at first sight!
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